Part 9 (1/2)
Jasper made no reply. There was a reason, but he did not feel inclined to reveal his secret to a complete stranger, upon such a brief acquaintance.
CHAPTER VIII
THE SHADOW OF MYSTERY
When supper was over, the stranger lighted a cigar and stretched himself out upon the cot.
”This is certainly comfort,” he remarked, as he watched Jasper clear away the dishes. ”It is fortunate that we have found such hospitality.
You do not have many such visitors, I suppose. It must be rather lonely for you here.”
”Not as a rule, though I have been much favoured lately,” Jasper replied with a laugh, and he told how his cabin had been taken possession of the previous night.
”Well, that was cool, I should say,” and the stranger smiled. ”Walked right in, did they?”
”But I didn't mind, for they were such a queer couple; a feeble old man, and a bright, smart girl of about sixteen. It was nice for me to have them here on such a stormy night. I would have been very lonely, otherwise.”
”Where are they now?”
”They left this morning. It is a sad story. But as they are strangers to you, it would hardly interest you.”
”Indeed it would,” was the emphatic reply. ”I am somewhat new to this country, and would like to find out all I can about the life of the people, especially in the country districts.”
When Jasper had finished was.h.i.+ng the dishes, he sat down upon a chair by the side of the cot, and lighted the cigar his visitor had given him. He then related the story of old David and Betty, taking care to say as little as possible about his own part in the affair.
”And so the old man is at the girl's home now, is he?” the stranger asked.
”Yes, for a time.”
”But what will become of him?”
”I do not know for certain. I shall try to a.s.sist him all I can. But he will not go back to Jim Goban's if I can help it. It is the height of cruelty for such a refined man to live at a place like that. I do not know what the people of this parish were thinking about to allow him to be put there.”
”Has he any relatives?”
”It seems not. He has been a puzzle to every one since the day he came here. He has been the laughing-stock of all the people because of a peculiar notion of his.”
”And what is that?”
”He is in love with Break Neck Falls over there, and talks to it as if it were a human being. He believes that the time will come when people will obtain power and light from the falls, and the entire country will be greatly benefited.”
”So that is why he is called crazy, eh?”
”Yes.”
”Is there really a good reason for his idea? Is there a large waterfall?”
”Yes. I have been there several times, and consider it a good place for a plant. The old man has curious drawings of his entire plans, which I shall show you as he left them with me this morning. He must have forgotten them in his excitement, as I understand he guards them very carefully. People laugh at Crazy David for the jealous way he protects his treasure.”
”Did you say his name is David?” the stranger asked.